The Dragon Quest collaboration event is returning to Final Fantasy XIV, bringing back one of the game’s strangest and most charming crossover quests. For newer players, this is a chance to experience a limited-time event built around Brickman-themed FATE participation, light comedy, and a small set of collectible rewards. For veterans, the big draw is the newly added Dragon Quest X Framer’s Kit, which joins the older cosmetics from previous runs.

This rerun follows the same basic structure as earlier appearances of the event. Players begin in Ul'dah, pick up the seasonal quest, travel to designated areas to complete FATEs against Brickmen, and then return for their rewards. It is a simple event, but it has remained memorable because of its unusual Dragon Quest flavor and the distinctive items attached to it.

The event runs from Thursday, June 23 until July 13, 2026. Because the window is fairly short, it is worth planning a quick visit even if all you want is the new cosmetic reward. Seasonal content like this also tends to matter for collectors, glamour fans, and anyone who wants to avoid paying inflated market prices for unrelated fashion pieces later while saving their FFXIV gil for bigger goals.

Event Dates and Basic Overview

The returning Dragon Quest crossover is a limited-time seasonal event in FFXIV. The key points are straightforward:

• Start date: June 23, 2026
• End date: July 13, 2026
• Main activity: Complete event-related FATE objectives involving Brickmen
• Main hub: Ul'dah
• New reward this time: Dragon Quest X Framer’s Kit

If you played the event in earlier years, the quest content itself is effectively unchanged. The main reason to revisit it is the extra cosmetic addition. If you never did it before, this is the full package: story quest, FATE participation, and the classic reward set.

How to Start the Dragon Quest Event in Ul'dah

To begin the main seasonal quest, head to Ul'dah - Steps of Nald and speak to Havak Alvak at approximately X:12.1, Y:8.2. This is the NPC tied to the event questline itself.

Once you accept the quest, you will be directed through the short crossover scenario and sent out to participate in the required FATE content. The event is not mechanically demanding, so it is easy to fit into a casual play session. That makes it a good stop for returning players who are already juggling roulettes, gearing, and other efficient FFXIV gil methods during a busy patch cycle.

How to Get the King Slime Crown and Dragon Quest X Framer’s Kit

One useful detail is that not every reward is locked behind the full event questline. During the event period, players can speak with Tuffi in Ul'dah at around X:8, Y:12 to purchase certain crossover items directly.

This includes:

• King Slime Crown
• Dragon Quest X Framer’s Kit

That means players who only want the portrait customization item do not need to replay the full event just to get it. If you already cleared the event in a previous year, this is the fastest route to the new addition.

The Framer’s Kit appears to feature Dragon Quest-inspired decorative elements, including a brick motif and slime accenting. For players who care about Adventurer Plates, this is an easy collectible with a look that stands out from standard seasonal cosmetics.

All Returning Rewards

The event’s older rewards are still the main attraction for first-time participants. These items have been around for several reruns, but they remain distinctive enough that many players still make time for the event when it returns.

The Thug’s Mug is a novelty headpiece based on Dragon Quest’s iconic pot-like monster design. It is mostly a glamour item, but it is memorable enough to show up in costume plates, joke outfits, and themed social events. Players who enjoy collecting unusual headgear will probably want it immediately.

King Slime Crown

The King Slime Crown is one of the best-known rewards from this crossover. Its appeal is simple: it is a giant slime-themed crown with playful movement physics. If you like exaggerated glamour pieces, this is the standout item in the event.

Wind-up Brickman

The Wind-up Brickman minion is another returning reward and a strong collectible for minion hunters. It fits the event’s oddball tone well and remains one of the more amusing crossover companions in the game.

Take a look at: our broader FFXIV news roundup

Dragon Quest X Framer’s Kit

The new reward for this rerun is the Dragon Quest X Framer’s Kit. While it is not part of the original reward lineup, it gives returning players a reason to check the event again. Adventurer Plate customization has become a bigger part of character presentation in modern FFXIV, so limited-time portrait cosmetics carry more value than they once did.

What You Actually Do During the Event

The Dragon Quest crossover is not a long or difficult seasonal activity. After starting the quest in Ul'dah, players are sent to take part in specific FATEs where Brickmen appear. The event loop is intentionally simple:

• Accept the event quest
• Travel to the required areas
• Join the relevant FATEs
• Defeat Brickmen and complete objectives
• Return to Ul'dah to finish the quest and collect rewards

This makes the event very approachable for almost any account state. Whether you are leveling jobs, catching up on side systems, or focusing on FFXIV gil from roulettes and daily content, the crossover is easy to slot into your routine without major preparation.

Because the event uses open-world FATE participation, completion speed can vary slightly depending on player traffic and spawn timing. During the first few days, these objectives are usually fast because many players are doing them at once. Later in the event window, you may need a little more patience if zones are quieter.

If you completed the crossover in a previous run, you can still revisit its story through the seasonal event replay feature. Speak to Havak Alvak in Ul'dah to access that option.

There is one important limitation: replaying the event does not provide the original rewards again, and it does not function as a repeatable progression source. It is purely there for players who want to rewatch the scenes or revisit the quest for fun.

That makes replay a nice bonus rather than a mandatory step. If your main interest is cosmetics, just claim what you need from the proper NPCs and move on.

Why This Event Still Matters in 2026

Even though this crossover has returned several times, it still fills a useful role in the seasonal calendar. FFXIV often uses event reruns and collaborations to bridge the space between larger content beats, giving players something light to do while waiting for the next patch, raid goal, or expansion reveal.

For collectors, the value is obvious. Limited-time items can disappear for long stretches, and crossover rewards often feel more special than standard seasonal pieces. For newer players, this is also a low-pressure introduction to how FFXIV handles event questlines outside normal MSQ progression.

There is also a small economic angle. While this event does not directly serve as FFXIV gil farming, seasonal cosmetics can influence how players allocate their resources. A free crossover glamour or portrait item can help reduce spending on other visual upgrades, leaving more room for crafted gear, materia, food, and other progression costs. That matters if you are trying to maintain a healthy sustainable FFXIV gil income across patch cycles.

Should New Players Prioritize This Event?

Yes, if you enjoy cosmetic rewards or crossover content. The event is short, accessible, and tied to unique items that may not return again for a while after this window ends.

It is especially worthwhile for players who:

• Like collecting minions and glamour pieces
• Want more Adventurer Plate customization options
• Missed previous Dragon Quest reruns
• Prefer quick seasonal content over long grinds

If your playtime is limited, the fastest approach is simple: visit Tuffi for the purchasable rewards first, then decide whether you also want to do the full questline. This is a practical way to protect your schedule, especially if you are also managing raid prep, crafter leveling, or how to get extra FFXIV gil without endless grinding through your normal weekly routine.

Will Other Crossover Events Return Too?

While only this Dragon Quest event is the confirmed focus here, crossover reruns are common in quieter seasonal periods. That makes it reasonable to expect other collaborations to reappear over time, especially as FFXIV fills out the calendar between larger updates.

Players who care about collectibles should keep an eye on announcements during this stretch of the year. Seasonal scheduling often clusters multiple limited-time activities together, which can affect both your playtime planning and your in-game budget if you are also spending on glamour, crafted upgrades, or housing items. In that sense, understanding how to balance FFXIV gil spending between gear, glamour, and progression becomes even more useful during event-heavy months.

Take a look at: this gil management guide

Best Reasons to Log In for This Rerun

• The event is quick and easy to complete
• The King Slime Crown remains one of the funniest crossover glamours
• The Wind-up Brickman is still a strong minion collectible
• The new Dragon Quest X Framer’s Kit gives veterans something fresh to claim
• The seasonal replay option lets returning players revisit the story

For a rerun, this is a solid one. It does not ask much of the player, but it offers a recognizable crossover identity and a reward set that still feels different from standard FFXIV event fare.

Do I need to complete the full event to get the Framer’s Kit?

No. During the event period, the Dragon Quest X Framer’s Kit can be purchased from Tuffi in Ul'dah without finishing the full questline.

Where do I start the Dragon Quest crossover quest?

Speak to Havak Alvak in Ul'dah - Steps of Nald at around X:12.1, Y:8.2 to begin the event quest.

Can I get rewards again through seasonal event replay?

No. Replay is only for revisiting the story. It does not grant duplicate rewards, EXP, or extra quest completion benefits.

Is this event good for new players?

Yes. It is short, simple, and offers unique cosmetics without requiring difficult combat or advanced progression.

Not directly, but free crossover cosmetics can reduce optional spending elsewhere, which helps if you are saving Final Fantasy XIV gil for gear, materia, or housing goals.